Disclaimer:

Since this petition was launched, there have been significant developments regarding safety measures in CFSD. However, to honor the integrity of the original message and the concerns that initial supporters rallied behind, we are keeping the petition text unchanged. For the latest updates and information on recent district actions, please refer to the “Updates” section of this petition.

This petition is not affiliated with any political party, candidate, or agenda. Our effort is strictly non-partisan and solely focused on improving the safety and security measures within the Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD). As parents, guardians, and community members, our only priority is the well-being of students, staff, and the overall school environment. We seek to collaborate with the district in a constructive and transparent manner to ensure that safety remains a top priority, regardless of political considerations.

As parents, guardians, and community members of the Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD), we are deeply concerned about the current state of safety and security in our schools. In light of recent events, including threats at Orange Grove Middle School, it is evident that the district’s safety protocols require immediate attention, transparency, and improvement.

While CFSD has taken initial steps toward addressing safety, we believe that more comprehensive measures are necessary to protect our students, teachers, and staff. Our district currently lacks a dedicated, full-time security professional responsible for overseeing and implementing robust safety measures. Neighboring districts, including Tucson Unified School District, Marana Unified School District, Sunnyside Unified School District, and Vail School District have designated safety staff trained to handle potential threats. CFSD must adopt a similar approach to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

Dr. Bartlett stated in her letter to parents on September 11, 2024, "We invite staff and families to share any thoughts or suggestions on how we can further improve our safety protocols."

In response to this invitation, we believe that an open forum would best facilitate these conversations. We strongly urge CFSD to host a public Safety Town Hall to address the following key concerns:

1. Transparency on Current Safety Practices
Parents deserve full transparency regarding the safety protocols currently in place at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. We request a clear and comprehensive overview of how safety is managed across all campuses.

While $5 million of the $38 million bond initiative was allocated for safety improvements, the scope of these changes remains unclear. Visible upgrades, such as perimeter fencing and single-point entry, are mentioned, but there is no clear explanation of the findings (even if broad) from the district's safety audit or which improvements are still pending. 

2. Dedicated Security Leadership
It is concerning that CFSD, a district with a reputation for excellence, does not employ a full-time staff member solely focused on school safety. Neighboring districts have taken steps to ensure that trained professionals are leading security efforts. We urge CFSD to evaluate this gap and develop a plan to hire a qualified security officer who can implement, monitor, and update safety protocols district-wide.

Currently, CFSD relies on three School Resource Officers (SROs) for the entire district. This limited coverage, especially considering the number of schools, raises serious concerns. We need assurances that there is sufficient security personnel to handle both prevention and real-time response to threats.

3. Mental Health Resources
Mental health plays a critical role in school safety. We request transparency on how CFSD's mental health advisors assess and intervene with at-risk students, ensuring that these efforts are integrated into the district's broader security strategy.

While CFSD has increased counseling services, the district has not detailed how counselors are trained to address potential insider threats—students exhibiting warning signs or concerning behavior. Given the frequency of internal threats in national incidents, we need a more comprehensive approach that combines mental health resources with security oversight. And if these are in place within the district, it needs to be communicated.

4. Actionable Plans for Insider Threats
Insider threats, such as bullying, student violence, and mental health crises, are often overlooked in safety plans. Parents deserve to understand how CFSD plans to address these risks comprehensively and proactively.

While the superintendent has cited Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) as "adaptive and scalable," the lack of specifics on how they function in various emergency scenarios is concerning. Parents need transparency on how these plans are enacted during different levels of threat and how staff are trained to handle them.

The district’s communication following the Orange Grove threat lacked concrete details on how the situation was managed in real time. General statements such as "swift and effective" responses are insufficient. Parents deserve to know how specific protocols are enacted and how they will be kept informed during emergencies.

5. Clear Communication with Parents
Timely and transparent communication during security breaches or threats is critical. We ask CFSD to provide specific protocols on how and when parents will be notified in such situations, ensuring that families are informed as events unfold.

6. Collaboration with Law Enforcement
We seek clarity on CFSD's collaboration with local law enforcement, especially regarding the roles and responsibilities of SROs. We also request information on how law enforcement is integrated into the district’s broader safety strategy to ensure swift and effective responses to threats.

7. Parent and Community Involvement
The safety of our children is a shared responsibility. We call for the establishment of a formal process for parent and community involvement in safety discussions, including regular Safety Town Halls where concerns can be addressed openly. Additionally, we ask for opportunities for parents to volunteer in safety initiatives to support the well-being of students.

We ask Dr. Denise Bartlett and CFSD leadership to prioritize student safety by holding a Safety Town Hall. This forum would allow for open, transparent dialogue between parents, students, staff, and administrators regarding safety concerns and actionable solutions moving forward.

Other districts have led by example. In 2022, Sunnyside Unified School District hosted a Safety Town Hall that provided clear information on their district’s safety strategy. CFSD families deserve the same level of transparency and respect.

Link to Sunnyside Safety Town Hall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=8cEsxXdBdkE

Tucson Unified School District hosted a School Safety Threat Webinar on 9/18/24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcOUudXBLO8&t=9s  

Amphitheater Unified School District hosted a School Safety Information Session on 9/19/24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj9bO93fkWA

Our children deserve to learn in a safe, secure environment. The time for change is now. Please SHARE and SIGN this petition if you believe CFSD must take immediate action to address safety concerns and host a public Safety Town Hall.

Together, we can make a difference and ensure our schools remain a safe haven for all.